charter schoolNPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94NPR Digital Services RSS Generator 0.94charter schoolFri, 23 Dec 2016 02:33:18 +0000charter schoolhttp://ripr.org
John BenderThe State Council on Elementary and Post-Secondary Education voted Tuesday to allow a major proposed expansion of the charter school system, Achievement First, in Providence. The Connecticut-based organization could potentially grow by more than 2,000 students. Achievement First currently operates two elementary schools in the capital city, with about 700 students. The group is hoping to expand that to three elementary schools, two middle schools, and a high school, increasing enrollment to more than 3,000. The issue has been a controversial one, not least because the cost of running the schools could result in the loss millions of dollars for the Providence School district. By the time the expansion is complete in 2027, the city stands to lose roughly $30 million dollars in state aid year. Proponents, including the state education commissioner Ken Wagner, say students in failing schools deserve more education choices. Achievement First’s proposal must also be approved by ProvidenceProvidence Charter School Group Gets Expansion Approval From State Education Councilhttp://ripr.org/post/providence-charter-school-group-gets-expansion-approval-state-education-council
76591 as http://ripr.orgWed, 21 Dec 2016 19:44:00 +0000Providence Charter School Group Gets Expansion Approval From State Education CouncilElisabeth HarrisonDebate is growing over the expansion of the charter school Achievement First in Providence.State Education Commissioner Wagner On His Support For Charter School Expansionhttp://ripr.org/post/state-education-commissioner-wagner-his-support-charter-school-expansion
76062 as http://ripr.orgThu, 08 Dec 2016 13:56:15 +0000State Education Commissioner Wagner On His Support For Charter School ExpansionElisabeth HarrisonThere were winners and losers in the 2017 budget for education. School districts got a boost, with increases in state funding. But charter schools will see their tuition payments cut , in a move some advocates say threatens the future for some of Rhode Island’s charter schools.How Education Fared In The Legislative Session And 2017 State Budgethttp://ripr.org/post/how-education-fared-legislative-session-and-2017-state-budget
69938 as http://ripr.orgWed, 13 Jul 2016 13:08:16 +0000How Education Fared In The Legislative Session And 2017 State BudgetElisabeth HarrisonA judge has declined to stop a new charter school from opening in Woonsocket. City officials sought an injunction to block RISE Prep, a special type of charter school called a Mayoral Academy. They argued it would take taxpayer money away from local schools. Rhode Island Mayoral Academies Spokeswoman Katelyn Silva disagrees. “If there are small areas where we can tweak the funding formula to feel more equitable on all sides we are behind that 100 percent,” said Silva. “Until then, I do think that money follows the child is the fairest way to fund public education.” RISE Prep has enrolled 50 Kindergartners from Woonsocket , Burrillville and North Smithfield. Silva said uncertainty about whether the school would be allowed to open next week has been stressful for those families. "We hear from families all the time, we’ve been driving by the school and our child is just getting really excited about being a part of that," said Silva. "They’ve been doing summer reading and working togetherJudge Clears The Way For Mayoral Academy In Woonsockethttp://ripr.org/post/judge-clears-way-mayoral-academy-woonsocket
55704 as http://ripr.orgWed, 26 Aug 2015 14:43:59 +0000Judge Clears The Way For Mayoral Academy In WoonsocketElisabeth HarrisonCharter schools dodged a bullet, this month when Rhode Island lawmakers ended the legislative session without agreement between House and Senate bills that could have changed the way charter schools are funded and restricted their ability to grow. Rhode Island Public Radio’s Elisabeth Harrison asked Tim Groves, the head of the Rhode Island League of Charter Schools, whether he thinks public opinion is turning against charter schools. Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please ema il us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.orgIs Public Opinion Turning Against Charter Schools In RI?http://ripr.org/post/public-opinion-turning-against-charter-schools-ri
53103 as http://ripr.orgTue, 30 Jun 2015 12:55:37 +0000Is Public Opinion Turning Against Charter Schools In RI?Elisabeth HarrisonAchievement First is a brand new charter school in Providence that also operates schools in Connecticut and New York. Critics fought hard to keep it from opening in Rhode Island, arguing that among other problems, it would take money away from other public schools. But supporters and organizers from Achievement First say they are offering an alternative to public schools that are struggling. Rhode Island Public Radio's Education Reporter Elisabeth Harrison took a tour of the Providence school. In a classroom on the first grade hallway at Achievement First Providence, teacher Tracy Raposo sits at a small table surrounded by about 15 six and seven-year-olds, each wearing a matching blue polo shirt. She leads them through a reading exercise, showing them how to move their eyes from one line of text to the next. Reading is a big focus at all Achievement First schools, where students spend at least three hours a day studying reading, writing and vocabulary. On a recent visit, oneDespite Critics, Achievement First Charter School Up And Runninghttp://ripr.org/post/despite-critics-achievement-first-charter-school-and-running
24315 as http://ripr.orgTue, 05 Nov 2013 13:41:47 +0000Despite Critics, Achievement First Charter School Up And RunningFlo JonicOnline learning is a tool in many Rhode Island classrooms. But a charter school opening next fall in Providence takes high tech to a whole new level. The Village Green Charter School bills itself as Rhode Island’s first virtual learning school. The high school will be located in Providence, near Classical High. Students will spend 60 percent of their time online or in small groups; 40 percent in traditional classroom time. School superintendent Robert Pilkington says applications for the 9 th and 10 th grade are pouring in. "So far there’s a lot of interest in attending," Pilkington says. "I am within seven students of having enough to go for final approval at the Board of Education. And we’re just a week into our advertising and recruitment campaign, with another two weeks to go. So I expect to be fully enrolled by mid April." Pilkington says parents like the ideas of their kids being tech savvy and kids like the independence of the virtual school model.School Highlights Tech-Based Learninghttp://ripr.org/post/school-highlights-tech-based-learning
12861 as http://ripr.orgMon, 01 Apr 2013 12:27:12 +0000School Highlights Tech-Based LearningLydia RogersCongressman David Cicilline predicts that public outrage about the impact of across the board spending cuts will eventually lead to a new budget agreement. Early voting could come to RI if a proposed bill is passed by the General Assembly. These stories and more on the RIPR Morning News Podcast. Do you have insight or expertise on this topic? Please email us, we'd like to hear from you. news@ripr.orgTuesday, March 5, 2013http://ripr.org/post/tuesday-march-5-2013
11361 as http://ripr.orgTue, 05 Mar 2013 14:44:07 +0000Tuesday, March 5, 2013Elisabeth HarrisonSchool leaders say 90 percent of the faculty at Spaziano Elementary School in Providence support their plan to turn the public school into a charter school. Spaziano has filed an early “prospectus” detailing its plans to the Providence School Department. District officials have asked all Providence schools to consider becoming charters, and so far two schools have shown an interest in taking them up on the proposal. The plan for Spaziano includes partnering with the Highlander Charter School in Providence and the International Charter School in Pawtucket. Among other supports, Highlander will help the staff at Spaziano make better use of data to refine their lesson plans. The school is pledging to increase test scores by 5 points by 2014. Spaziano enrolls a high percentage of Hispanic students and multi-lingual students. For that reason, the school is proposing to become a laboratory school for innovative practices with non-native English speakers. That’s where the International90 percent of teachers support charterization for Spaziano Elementaryhttp://ripr.org/post/90-percent-teachers-support-charterization-spaziano-elementary
4734 as http://ripr.orgMon, 08 Oct 2012 21:02:37 +000090 percent of teachers support charterization for Spaziano ElementaryElisabeth HarrisonTwo Providence elementary schools will apply to become charter schools. The first schools entering a new district initiative are Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School and Spaziano Elementary School. Martin Luther King school leaders say they plan to work the The Learning Community Charter School in Central Falls. Spaziano will partner with the Highlander Charter School in Providence. More details to come!Few Providence schools choose charterizationhttp://ripr.org/post/few-providence-schools-choose-charterization
8369 as http://ripr.orgFri, 05 Oct 2012 15:44:13 +0000Few Providence schools choose charterizationElisabeth HarrisonState Education Commissioner Deborah Gist is calling for the closure of the Academy for Career Exploration (ACE), formerly known as Textron/Chamber of Commerce Providence Public Charter School, citing poor academic results and leadership failures. According to a recommendation from Gist’s office, the school has not performed well enough to merit the renewal of its five-year charter. ACE had no students scoring proficient or better on the most recent state test of mathematics. The review also cites a systematic failure to provide support for students who struggle with math, poor administrative and board oversight and an incomplete curriculum. ACE serves 225 high school students and is part of the Providence Public School District, which means teachers at the school are union members. The academic program includes a focus on job skills, requiring community service for 9th and 10th graders and partnering with local businesses to provide internships and afterschool jobs for 11th and 12thWill Rhode Island’s first charter school also be the first to shut down?http://ripr.org/post/will-rhode-island-s-first-charter-school-also-be-first-shut-down
8386 as http://ripr.orgWed, 20 Jun 2012 17:15:22 +0000Will Rhode Island’s first charter school also be the first to shut down?Elisabeth HarrisonThe State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education is slated to vote today on new rules for obtaining teacher credentials in Rhode Island. The proposal sets minimum test score requirements and selects which tests will be used for teacher certification in several subject areas. During the public hearing process, some concerns were raised about score requirements and the tests themselves. More details on the comments plus responses from state education officials are available here. The board will also be discussing and possibly voting on renewing the charter for the New England Laborer’s Career and Construction Academy Charter School in Cranston. Education Commissioner Deborah Gist has recommended giving the school a three year renewal rather than a full five years. Objections to renewing the school’s charter include poor academic performance and a state review that showed problems in leadership and organization at the school. State officials are suggesting that the board give theRIDE schedules vote on teacher certification scores, Cranston charter schoolhttp://ripr.org/post/ride-schedules-vote-teacher-certification-scores-cranston-charter-school
8400 as http://ripr.orgThu, 07 Jun 2012 17:40:55 +0000RIDE schedules vote on teacher certification scores, Cranston charter school